How Much Does a Whippet Cost and What Makes Up the Price of a Purebred Dog?

In Europe, the price of a Whippet typically ranges from €1,200 to €2,000. However, puppies from exceptional litters with renowned, highly accomplished parents can be much more expensive. In Lithuania, prices can vary between different breeders, but generally, a puppy without breed faults will be more expensive, while one with a breed fault will cost less.

What Is a Breed Fault?

A breed fault refers to a minor issue that makes a puppy unsuitable for participating in dog shows. These faults can include congenital tail fractures, blue eyes, or undescended testicles in males. Such faults do not affect the dog’s health, but it is recommended to neuter males with undescended testicles before their first year. Aside from the neutering, the dog remains an excellent companion, just like other puppies from the same litter and parents.

Why Are Purebred Dogs So Expensive?

When purchasing a purebred dog from a reputable breeder, you ensure the dog will be healthy and meet breed standards. In other words, the puppy will grow up to be exactly what you expect. The parents of such puppies undergo all required and optional health screenings, including tests for eye, heart, and genetic conditions. Responsible breeders know their dogs’ bloodlines and eliminate those that may carry undesirable traits or diseases. More importantly, in responsible breeding, the focus is not only on the dog’s appearance but also on its character and temperament. Responsible breeders avoid using dogs with unstable, fearful, or any other undesirable behavioral traits. Such careful selection takes time and resources.

Breeder Activity Is Strictly Regulated

It’s also important to note that breeding activities are strictly regulated by various authorities. Preparing each required document incurs additional costs. Before a dog can be bred, it must undergo evaluations at international or national dog shows to confirm it meets breed standards. Before even starting a litter, breeders must receive approval for the planned breeding, and responsible authorities ensure compatibility between the dogs, verify that all necessary health tests have been conducted, check that the female is not being bred too frequently, and ensure other breeding regulations are followed. For example, traveling to mate the female with a male can cost between €2,000 and €3,000. Matings are not always successful, and when they are, there are additional costs for raising the puppies, veterinary care, food and supplements, continuous care, socialization, and document preparation.

Why Non-Pedigree Dogs Are Not a Good Choice

On the other hand, dogs bred without proper documentation (i.e., non-pedigree dogs) are not regulated by any legal authority. They don’t undergo health tests, and the lineage of the breeding dogs is unknown, which can lead to potential health and behavioral issues. Such dogs often don’t resemble the breed they are sold as. Purchasing a dog without proper pedigree greatly increases the risk of health problems such as digestive, skin, joint, heart, and eye conditions. Treating these diseases can end up costing far more than purchasing a purebred dog with all necessary documentation. The emotional toll of watching your pet suffer from illness is also something to consider.

It’s important to weigh this risk carefully. In many cases, the seller claims the parents have documentation, but the puppy itself does not. In such cases, it’s worth asking yourself why the puppy lacks proper documentation and whether something might be hidden from you.

The Good News: In Lithuania, Whippets Without Documentation Are Extremely Rare.